The decision to have Rubio, the Cuban-American being touted as the GOP's best hope for 2016 was aimed at offering a kinder, gentler face to the GOP. But the Miami man's message will forever be lost for his dry throat.

Rubio offers a change on the GOP's long-standing opposition to immigration reform, but on the main issue, government spending to help the middle class with jobs and education, he offered the tired old GOP mantra of no taxes.

While the right whined about the media focus on The Sip, the fact is his mis-gulp took away the spotlight from the same-old Wild West show that turned the country off last fall.

There was Stone Face Ted Nugent, in need of acting lessons to fully express his disdain for anything that might quell the insanity of gun violence. The guest of Texas Rep. Steve Stockman, who has threatened impeachment if Obama uses his executive authority to impose gun regulations over Republican intransigence.

Then again, maybe not. Away from the House chamber we were treated by freshman Texas Sen. Ted Cruz's insinuations of treason against Obama Defense Secretary nominee Chuck Hagel, a one-time Republican senator and decorated war veteran.

Rubio's water break maybe have been a subliminal effort to break the fever, So far, it's not working.